SIR

See also:

• WILLIAM
• WILLIAM (1143-1214)
• WILLIAM (1227-1256)
• WILLIAM (1J33-1584)
• WILLIAM (A.S. Wilhelm, O. Norse Vilhidlmr; O. H. Ger. Willahelm, Willahalm, M. H. Ger. Willehelm, Willehalm, Mod.Ger. Wilhelm; Du. Willem; O. Fr. Villalme, Mod. Fr. Guillaume; from " will," Goth. vilja, and " helm," Goth. hilms, Old Norse hidlmr, meaning
• WILLIAM (c. 1130-C. 1190)
• WILLIAM, 13TH

WILLIAM

See also:

• CAVENDISH
• CAVENDISH, GEORGE (1500-1562?)
• CAVENDISH, HENRY (1731-1810)
• SIR WILLIAM CAVENDISH (c. 1505-1557)

CAVENDISH (c. 1505-1557)  , founder of the English noble house of Cavendish, was the younger brother of George Cavendish (q.v.) . His father, Thomas, was a descendant of Sir John Cavendish, the judge, who in 1381 was murdered by Jack Straw's insurgent peasants at Bury St Edmunds . Of William's education nothing seems known, but in 1530 he was appointed one of the commissioners for visiting monasteries; he worked directly under Thomas Cromwell, whom he calls " master " and to whom many of his extant letters are addressed . In 1541 he was auditor of the court of augmentations, in 1546 treasurer of the king's chamber, and was knighted and sworn of the privy council . Under Edward VI. and Mary he continued in favour at court; during the latter's reign he partially conformed, but on the occasion of the war with France he with other Derbyshire gentlemen refused the loan of £ioo demanded by the queen . He died in 1557 . Cavendish acquired large properties from the spoils of the monasteries, but in accordance with the wish of his third wife Elizabeth he sold them to purchase land in Derbyshire . This wife was the celebrated " building Bess of Hardwick," daughter of John Hardwicke, of Hardwicke, Derby-shire; she completed the original building of Chatsworth House,—begun in 1553 by her husband,—of which nothing now remains . Her fourth husband was George Talbot, 6th earl of Shrewshury . By her Cavendish had six children; an elder son who died without issue; William, who in 1618 was created earl of Devon• shire; Charles, whose son William became 1st duke of Newcastle; Frances, who married Sir Henry Pierporit,and was the ancestress of the dukes of Kingston; Elizabeth, who married Charles Stuart, earl of Lennox, and was the mother of Arabella Stuart; and Mary, who married Gilbert Talbot, 7th earl of Shrewsbury .